Colorado Golf Association covers caddie tips at CommonGround golf course

The Colorado Golf Association (CGA) is now covering 100% of the $60 base rate and $30 tip for young caddies at CommonGround. According to Tim Wimsatt, director of the caddie program, the move aims to increase golfer demand by removing the financial barrier for those hiring students from the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy.

Why is the CGA paying caddie tips?

The CGA intends to attract “repeat customers” by eliminating the cost to the golfer. Wimsatt stated that requiring golfers to pay limits the pool of people who access caddies and essentially “prices people out of the game.”

The strategy has increased usage. Caddies completed 700 loops between Memorial Day and Labor Day in 2024, which rose to 900 in 2025. Wimsatt reports that CommonGround caddies are currently on pace to exceed 1,500 loops this summer.

Did You Know? The program was launched in 2012 with seed money provided by brothers George and Duffy Solich, and the donor list has since grown to more than 100 people.

How does the caddie training pipeline work?

The Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy begins with basics like positioning and bag management. Wimsatt said first-season caddies spend their time on par 3s and back nines before moving to full 18-hole loops in their second season.

After two years of training at CommonGround, caddies may move to local private clubs, including Cherry Hills Country Club, Denver Country Club, Lakewood Country Club, or Columbine Country Club.

The CGA also manages four-year programs at The Broadmoor, Fort Collins Country Club, Meridian Golf Club, and two courses in Grand Junction. In these “graduate programs,” the association covers only the $60 base rate, leaving tips to the discretion of members.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that by subsidizing the tip, the CGA is effectively transforming a service transaction into a subsidized educational internship. This shifts the financial risk from the golfer to the foundation, prioritizing the “training” aspect over immediate market demand.

What is the connection to college scholarships?

The program serves as a pipeline for Evans Scholarships, which provide full tuition and housing at the University of Colorado Boulder. Wimsatt noted that the CGA started the program partly to increase the number of local students receiving this award.

Of the 840 students who have entered the academy over the last 14 years, 71 have received Evans Scholarships. Jaxon Grunewald, a former participant and current caddie manager, described joining the academy as the best decision of his life.

What could happen as the program expands?

The program is currently at a record size with 166 caddies. If the Colorado Golf Foundation continues to raise its annual $600,000 to $700,000, the CGA could potentially increase the number of students or loops.

Wimsatt indicated that the cost is effectively $1,800 per kid per summer, based on 30 loops at $60 each. This mathematical framework suggests the program may scale further if donation levels remain stable or grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many caddies are currently in the program?
There are 166 caddies this year, the highest number in the program’s 14-year history.

Which courses have the most caddies?
CommonGround has 58 caddies, followed by The Broadmoor with 47 and Fort Collins with 27.

Who funds the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy?
The program is financed through donations to the Colorado Golf Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the CGA.

Do you think subsidizing caddie tips is an effective way to grow interest in the game of golf?